Max's Box

Max's Box : Letting Go of Negative Feelings

Max's parents give him a very special gift: a tiny, magical box that will hold everything, from his toys to his feelings. Max learns, however, that feelings can't be put away as easily as toys. Each negative emotion he feels—anger, embarrassment, sadness, loneliness—gets added to the box, which grows and grows. Eventually it is so large that it keeps him from doing what he loves, like riding his bike and climbing trees. With some help from his friends and family, Max is able to turn the box into something beautiful and let it go. A parents' guide explains how well-intentioned adults often encourage children, especially young boys, to ignore and “put away” their feelings instead of learning to fully live with them. This simple but powerful story not only teaches children how to “control” their emotions but discourages suppressing them, the illustrations becoming more colorful and vibrant as Max moves out from his box’s shadow. Max's parents give him a very special gift: a tiny, magical box that will hold everything, from his toys to his feelings. Max learns, however, that feelings can't be put away as easily as toys. Each negative emotion he feels—anger, embarrassment, sadness, loneliness—gets added to the box, which grows and grows. Eventually it is so large that it keeps him from doing what he loves, like riding his bike and climbing trees. With some help from his friends and family, Max is able to turn the box into something beautiful and let it go. A parents' guide explains how well-intentioned adults often encourage children, especially young boys, to ignore and “put away” their feelings instead of learning to fully live with them. This simple but powerful story not only teaches children how to “control” their emotions but discourages suppressing them, the illustrations becoming more colorful and vibrant as Max moves out from his box’s shadow. Foreword INDIE Gold Award-winning author (Unraveling Rose 2017 Book of the Year) Author was featured in Story Monsters in July 2018 and has appeared on CBS WKRC Local 12 TV in Cincinnati Author has modest but growing social media following Tackles complicated mental health issues through a gentle and lovingly illustrated message Anyone can relate to "Max's Box". We all have emotions, and struggle at times with how to manage them. "Max's Box" gives children, and their parents, a magical story about dealing with emotions, without suppressing them.

• Award-winning author Brian Wray uses a magical growing box to illustrate children's emotional development and health
• Color unfurls in beautifully symbolic illustrations as Max stops hiding his feelings in his box
• Includes a parents' guide for managing children's emotions without suppressing or dismissing them

Size: 8.5in x 8.5in  |  Pages: 32  |  24 color images